York named chair of NFL's safety committee

York named chair of NFL's safety committee

John York has stepped down as the chair of the NFL's international committee to become chair of the newly created health and medical committee, commissioner Roger Goodell announced this week.York, the 49ers' co-chair, will lead the new committee on health and medical issues. York, a pathologist, began his business career in 1982 as founder of DeYor Laboratories in Youngstown, Ohio.He received a doctorate in blood pathology from Stritch School of Medicine at Loyola University Chicago in 1975. He spent seven years of post-doctoral study, specializing in the laboratory diagnosis of lymphoma and leukemia.Jerry Jones (Cowboys), Rich McKay (Falcons), John Mara (Giants) and Mark Murphy (Packers) will be the other members of the new Health and Safety Advisory Committee."Our committee structure has been very important and beneficial to the NFL over the years," Goodell said. "It has allowed us to address and study complex issues in depth and present our clubs with comprehensive information and thoughtful recommendations."Clark Hunt (Chiefs) is taking over as the chair of the NFL's international committee.

Staley sits out 49ers practice with hamstring injury

Staley sits out 49ers practice with hamstring injury

SANTA CLARA – Left tackle Joe Staley, who has not missed a game since 2010, did not practice Thursday due to a hamstring injury.

The 49ers’ five-time Pro Bowl performer has the third-longest active streak among offensive tackles with 92 consecutive starts. Only Cleveland's Joe Thomas (156) and Oakland's Donald Penn (152) have started more consecutive games.

Staley’s availability for Sunday’s game against the New York Jets at Levi’s Stadium is in question after he was held out of practice on Thursday after going through the full workload on Wednesday.

If Staley is unable to play, the 49ers would likely move left guard Zane Beadles to left tackle and insert Andrew Tiller at left guard. Tiller started the first five games of the season at right guard before rookie Joshua Garnett took over.

“You can bet that the men and women we honor today, and those who died that fateful morning 75 years ago, never took a knee and never failed to stand whenever they heard our national anthem being played."

Many of those in attendance gave the Admiral a standing ovation.

During the preseason, Kaepernick remained seated on the 49ers' team bench during the national anthem.

After sparking a national controversy, Kaepernick began kneeling as opposed to sitting.

After the 49ers' loss to the Bears on Sunday, Kaepernick said he will continue his demonstration moving forward.

"Today we have a precious opportunity to reflect -- to reflect on what it means to be a patriot, to reflect on what it means to be a nation tested by war, and to reflect on both the costs and the blessings of liberty," Admiral Harris added. "To America's World War II patriots here and watching at home -- we will never forget your courage under considerable fire and seemingly insurmountable odds.

"Because of you, our future remains bright. We owe you an immeasurable debt and we can't thank you enough for answering the call of duty when Lady Liberty needed it the most."